My favourite spot for lunch in the Liberties has to be our lovely friends across the road in Two Pups.

If you’re looking for a health kick, there’s poached eggs and avocado. If you’re on the hunt for comfort-food they’ve got a warm ham and cheese toastie with a side of chunky tomato relish. Or, for the colder days, there’s a hot healthy lentil dahl.

If you are lucky enough to nab a window seat during the busy lunch period, you’ll catch a lovely view of Francis Street which is a gorgeous suntrap on a sunny day too. And of course, there’s the occasional opportunity to dote on some friendly canines, who are welcome in the café.

This café does wholesome, comfort food at a pocket-friendly price. All served by super-friendly and efficient staff, with the food-creator genius of Jenny backing the whole operation. While my encounters are generally for a take-away, the décor and quirky water cups and implements make a sit down lunch an interesting and nice experience.

The daily soup is always an interesting surprise: a burrito in a bowl or lentil soup with a dollop of buttery potato and kale mash pop up every now and again. Beetroot burger and leek sausage in a soft potato bap are among the sambo favourites. The cakes are divine too: flourless butternut squash or raspberry and coconut pound cake have recently featured on the menu.

It’s not that I overeat all of the time, but stocking up at Luncheonette can get one through long days and evenings without another major food break. The downside, when all the students go on holiday, so does Luncheonette.

Speciality coffee on rotation, a frankly outrageous array of baked goods and an all-day brunch menu that renders decision-making almost impossible – all served up by super friendly staff. Add to that a warm atmosphere and a fantastic window for people-watching and you’ll be doing well to pull yourself away to be back in the office on time.

One of my favourite spots in The Liberties for a tasty treat and a soothing latte has to be The Dublin Cookie Company, run by partners Jenny Synnott and Elaine Cohalan. After a number of years trading at food markets and festivals the length and breadth of Ireland, they decided to take the jump and opened Ireland’s first cookie shop on Dublin’s Thomas Street in March 2016 – a hugely welcome addition to The Liberties.

There are simply too many delicious freshly baked flavours each day to choose from. But a couple of ‘must trys’ include their Classic Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and White Chocolate & Cranberry. If you’re feeling adventurous, indulge in their Sea Salted Caramel & Toasted Pecan, Carrot Cake or Banoffee cookies. Oh… and did I mention they do the most amazing speciality Irish-roasted coffee?